Read More

“I think that is difficult for a couple of the lads who may feel they should be in the squad. I sympathise with them. You can’t guarantee anybody a place if they are coming on loan but they would like to think they are going to be included. For them not even to be in the 18 is very tough for them. I have to try to keep them on board and ensure that they are not just being discarded.

Port Vale manager Neil Aspin

“Jack Stobbs did really well in the reserve game. I was pleased with how he worked and his deliveries into the box were really good. That is all he could do and he has to keep doing that. Basically he has to wait for his opportunity but he has certainly not been discarded.

“It is the same with Rekeil Pyke. He only played for 60 minutes but his hold up play was good and he worked hard. But if I go with the same five (loan) players that were in the squad last Saturday it means that they can’t feature. That is tough for them.”

Read More

Aspin, who is considering his selection for Vale's home game with Cheltenham on Saturday, says he was generally pleased with what he saw at the reserves. The manager, coach Lee Nogan and football advisor John Rudge were all present as coach Mick Ede’s team secured a deserved win thanks to first half goals from Joe Davis and Tom Anderson.

The manager said: “It was positive because it was a win and a clean sheet which you will always take.

“I thought the attitude of the players was good. It was what I expected, I would be very disappointed if a new manager came in and you had found players who weren’t putting in the effort.